Monsignor Secco: “Financial situation Diocese delicate”

WILLEMSTAD – The Diocese of Willemstad is running against time to save the renovation or restoration projects of some of its churches in Curaçao, Aruba and Bonaire. According to the Diocese, this has more to do with the financial aspects of the projects. The Catholic Church does not have the financial means to cover all the costs of these projects.

With the donation from the Isla Refinery, the church was able to finance the renovation of the Saint Anna Basilica and the final stages of the Holy Family church in Otrabanda. The renovation costs were more than was initially budgeted.

Reliable sources indicate that the Diocese and the Catholic Church in Curaçao are contemplating a major fund collection campaign during its services. This campaign is to explain to the church goers that they need to give more than just ten cents or one guilder during the services.

“If in other church they apply the tithing policy, the Catholic Church should be able to do the same,” says the source in the Diocese.

“In some of these churches the pastor lives like the King of France and this is something we cannot say about our Catholic pastors on the islands.”